Legal Question in Criminal Law in California
is changing the amount of a check (i.e. from $150.00 to $250.00) considered forgery? and is this amount a felony?
2 Answers from Attorneys
Yes, it is forgery. Forgery isn't just signing another person's name, but includes things like altering documents with "legal significance" such as checks.
Forgery is a "wobbler" in California and can be filed as a felony or a misdemeanor. For a difference of $100 and assuming no prior record, I would assume it would be filed as a misdemeanor carrying a maximum of one year in county jail and/or a fine of a thousand dollars.
Yes, any such changes that would affect the amount or payee would be punishable by either misdemeanor or felony charges, depending upon amount. If this is you facing such charges, and if you're serious about getting legal counsel to help you, and if the case is in SoCal, feel free to contact me.
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